Kieran Trippier thinks Arsenal target Declan Rice is better than both Thomas Partey and Manchester United midfielder Casemiro.
Rice has been heavily linked with a summer move to a number of clubs but reports that Arsenal could make a bid have been growing in recent months.
The Gunners’ form in the Premier League has definitely helped with Mikel Arteta’s side sitting top of the Premier League table after 20 matches.
The latest reports insist that Rice remains ‘a priority’ for Arsenal in the summer transfer window but that West Ham are ‘unlikely to do business at anything less than £100m’.
Thomas Partey has been outstanding for Arsenal this season and his consistency is one of the reasons the club is doing so well under Arteta this campaign.
When Trippier, who played alongside Partey at Atletico Madrid, was asked to pick the better player between Rice and the Arsenal midfielder, Trippier told FIVE: “Declan… Declan’s unbelievable.
“I don’t know if you watched the game the other day when we [Newcastle] played West Ham, just his intelligence, the way he breaks up play, how he travels with it, powerful, unbelievable.
“Probably one of the best in the world in what he does.”
Casemiro has had a brilliant season for Man Utd too and when aksed if he rated Rice above the Brazilian, Trippier replied: “Yeah.
“As defenders you appreciate like me you appreciate the likes of Michael Carrick or Declan, it makes your job easier, they’re just mopping everything up.
“Don’t get me wrong, Casemiro, the trophies he’s won, the Champions Leagues, of course he’s a world-class player, but if you’re talking right now, Dec is incredible, he’s got the age as well.”
CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs recently updated everyone on the current situation as Arsenal plot a summer move for Rice.
“So with Arsenal, their No.1 midfield target remains Declan Rice in the summer, and they will compete with Chelsea and possibly Manchester United as well,” Jacobs told TEAMtalk.
“But sources have always told me that Rice’s priority is to stay in London if he possibly can and that would lend itself towards an Arsenal or Chelsea move. And with Declan Rice, the price has dropped significantly compared to what West Ham were quoting last summer in order to try and ward off suitors.
“So, the teams that were asked about Rice were told a fee was well in excess of £100m, which is essentially saying he is not for sale because nobody was going to pay that last summer.
“This summer, Rice could be available for as low as £70-75m, which Arsenal and Chelsea will see as great value. So Rice is one to watch for Arsenal and also Chelsea as well. They will be the two that are pushing for him.”
